Articulatively segmented, elongate amusement device

ABSTRACT

An articulatively segmented, elongate bar, made up of relatively short and rectilinear sections which are normally maintained in end-to-end rectilinear alignment by a flexible and preferably elastic cord so as to be held and maneuvered in various ways to amuse both the maneuverer and onlookers, has its individual sections each constructed of a substantially rigid core, advantageously in the form of a lightweight tube, and a sleeve of soft and flexible material closely encompassing the core as a cushion, the ends of the section being symmetrical about the longitudinal axes of the respective sections and of mating character, so that, when the device is maneuvered, the sections will tip unpredictably relative to one another in various directions, and more or less so, depending upon the degree of and the manner in which motion is applied, without danger of harming the one holding and maneuvering the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field:

The invention is in the field of amusement devices designed to be handheld and maneuvered by an individual to while the time away and as ademonstration of skill to himself and onlookers.

2. State of the Art:

There are a variety of amusement devices designed to be maneuvered by anindividual as a test and demonstration of acquired skill, for examplethe sell known and so-called "Hula Hoop". Batons are often swung andtwirled at parades to amuse onlookers. These, however, are notarticulatively segmented to introduce an element of unpredictability tothe result when movement is applied to one or more of the segments thatare hand held.

OBJECTIVES

In the making of the present invention an objective was to provide adifferent kind of hand-held amusement device that, with skillfulmaneuvering, will provide pleasure for the user and will amuseonlookers. Further objectives were to provide for unpredictability ofthe result until considerable skill is acquired in the handling of thedevice, and to guard against injuries to the user if hit by portions ofthe device while acquiring maneuvering skill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To accomplish the foregoing objectives, the device of the invention isconstructed as an articulatively segmented, elongate bar havingrelatively short and preferably rectilinear sections normally maintainedas an end-to-end series by a flexible cord, which is desirably of anelastic nature so as to normally hold the sections end against end inrectilinear alignment and to provide a spring action which will yield toexternal forces.

The individual sections are each constructed of a substantially rigidand lightweight core adapted to receive the flexible cord, and a sleeveof soft and flexible material closely encompassing the core as acushion. The core is advantageously a length of lightweight tubing, suchas convolute cardboard tubing. The ends of the sections are symmetricaltransversely of the length, so that, when the device is maneuvered, thesections will tip unpredictably relative to one another in variousdirections, and more or less so, depending upon the degree of and themanner in which motion is applied. Due to the lightweight and cushionednature of the sections, there is practically no danger of harm to theuser even if he is hit by portions of the device during manipulationthereof.

THE DRAWING

An embodiment of the amusement device of the invention, that ispresently contemplated as the best mode of carrying it out in actualpractice, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device in its normal conditionwaiting to be picked up and maneuvered;

FIG. 2, a longitudinal vertical section taken along the line 2--2 ofFIG. 1, an intermediate portion being broken out for convenience ofillustration; and

FIG. 3, a pictorial view showing the device being hand-held andmaneuvered, the normal and an alternate position assumed during themaneuvering being indicated by broken lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

In the form illustrated, the device of the invention comprises a seriesof articulatively related, cylindrical sections, here shown asrelatively short end sections 10 and intermediate section 11 andrelative long intermediate sections 12, arranged end-to-end as anelongate bar.

It will be noted that each of the sections is relatively short incomparison with the total length of the bar, so that the bar can bemaneuvered by a person holding one or more of the sections by hand.

The sections are normally maintained as an end-to-end serires by meansof a flexible cord 13, which is preferably elastic in character so as tonormally urge the sections tightly together in their end-to-endrelationship as a continuous, rectilinear bar.

Although the individual sections may be constructed in various ways,with cord 13 extending axially through a substantially rigid core, it isimportant that they be cushioned exteriorly so as to safeguard the userof the device against injury in the event the unpredictable gyrationsduring maneuvering of the device cause one or more of the sections tohit the face or body of the user.

A most advantageous and preferred way of constructing the individualsections is by encompassing a length of substantially rigid butlightweight tubing 14 with a relatively thick sleeve 15 of soft andflexible material such as neoprene or similar sponge. The cushioningsleeve is preferably secured to the rigid tubing by a suitable adhesive.

The end sections 10 are desirably cushioned at their free and exposedends by, for example, extending the cushioning sleeves 15 beyond thecorresponding outside ends of the lengths of rigid tubing 14, as at 15a,and by inserting plugs 16 of similar cushioning material centrally ofthe respective outward sleeve extensions 15a. In this way, the oppositeends of cord 13 can be conveniently anchored in such end sections 10 bymeans of discs 17 which overlap the ends of the lengths 14 of rigidtubing associated with the end sections 10.

As illustrated, each of the several sections of the device have endsthat are symmetrical about the longitudinal axes of the respectivesections of the section, so that, when the device is maneuvered, thesections will tip unpredictably relative to one another in variousdirections, and more or less so, depending upon the degree of and themanner in which motion is applied. The strictly cylindrical nature ofthe several sections 10, 11, and 12 here shown inherently providessection ends that are symmetrical about the longitudinal axes of suchsections. However, such ends could be variously formed and still adhereto the symmetrical requirement. Thus, the end surfaces 18, instead ofbeing flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the sections,could be conical or annularly ridged for example, so long as there ismating of contiguous ends in order to preserve the continuous bar natureof the device.

FIG. 3 illustrates one way in which the articulatively segmentedelongate amusement device of the invention can be held and maneuveredfor the entertainment of the user and of onlookers, should there beonlookers. The device may be shaken, twirled, twisted, and maneuvered indiverse other ways limited only by the imagination of the user.

Whereas this invention is here illustrated and described with specificreference to an embodiment thereof presently contemplated as the bestmode of carrying out such invention in actual practice, it is to beunderstood that various changes may be made in adapting the invention todifferent embodiments without departing from the broader inventiveconcepts disclosed herein and comprehended by the claims that follow.

I claim:
 1. An articulatively segmented, elongate amusement device,comprising a series of articulatively related sections arrangedend-to-end as an elongate bar, each section being relatively short incomparison with the total length of the bar so that the bar can bemaneuvered by a person hand-holding one or more of the sections; and aflexible cord extending axially through said sections for normallymaintaining the sections as an end-to-end series; each of said sectionsbeing constructed with a substantially rigid core through which the cordextends and a relatively thick sleeve of soft and flexible materialclosely encompassing the core as a cushion, the adjoining ends of eachof mutually adjoining sections being symmetrical about the longitudinalaxes of the respective sections and of mating character so that, whenthe device is maneuvered, the sections will tip unpredictably relativeto one another in various directions, and more or less so, dependingupon the degree of and the manner in which motion is applied, withoutdanger of harming the person holding and maneuvering the device.
 2. Anamusement device according to claim 1, wherein the core of each sectionis a length of lightweight tubing.
 3. An amusement device according toclaim 1, wherein the flexible cord is elastic in nature so the barsections will be held with ends tightly contiguous in rectilinear barformation.
 4. An amusement device according to claim 1, wherein thecushioning sleeve is of elastomer sponge material.
 5. An amusementdevice according to claim 4, wherein the endmost sections have therespective cores terminating short of the free, outside ends of saidsections and the respective cushioning sleeves extending beyond andcovering the outside ends of the respective cores.
 6. An amusementdevice according to claim 5, wherein the outside ends of the respectivecores are provided with transverse structure in which the respectiveends of the flexible cord are anchored.
 7. An amusement device accordingto claim 5, wherein respective plugs of cushioning material are insertedin the outside ends of the cushioning sleeves.
 8. An amusement deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the core of each section is a length ofconvolute cardboard tubing.
 9. An articulatively segmented, elongateamusement device, comprising a series of articulatively related sectionsarranged end-to-end as an elongate bar, each section being relativelyshort in comparison with the total length of the bar so that the bar canbe maneuvered by a person hand-holding one or more of the sections; anda flexible cord extending axially through said sections for normallymaintaining the sections as an end-to-end series; each of said sectionsbeing constructed with a substantially rigid core through which the cordextends and a relatively thick sleeve of soft and flexible materialclosely encompassing the core as a cushion, the adjoining ends ofmutually adjoining sections being flat and at right angles to the lengthaxis of the section so that, when the device is maneuvered, the sectionswill tip unpredictably relative to one another in various directions,and more or less so, depending upon the degree of and the manner inwhich motion is applied, without danger of harming the person holdingand maneuvering the device.